Honest suggestions for you before you plan your travel to India from US
India is shining on the global map for all the good reasons. From robust policies to steady developments in the economic, technological and social arena, India is going through a really exciting phase and there’s never been a better time to experience the spirit of this country up-close by planning to travel to India,
Here are the most important things to consider before you plan your travel to India from US or any other country for that matter.
Health – Immunization, Vaccinations and Basic Precautions
Your purpose of travel to India may vary based on the experience you want to have, but getting sick on a foreign land really sucks. Most people who travel to India from US tend to get stomach infection within the first week and the one and only reason for this is water. It’s not that water here is contaminated, but the mineral constituents of Indian and US water are different. If you are travelling within metropolitan areas like Delhi, Mumbai or Calcutta it is not a big problem. But it can escalate quickly if you are travelling to remote or exotic places like Jim Corbett National Park or Kaziranga, as you may easily get exposed to various kinds of diseases like jaundice, typhoid and dengue, and getting a medical assistance there is not so easy.
So, here is a list of mandatory travel to India vaccinations recommended by WHO for all the international travelers visiting India for the first time. Consult your doctor on which vaccine you can skip basis when did you take that particular vaccine. Note that few vaccines are not recommended for pregnant women, so take proper medical advice before going ahead.
- Hepatitis A & B vaccines
- OPV or Oral Polio Vaccines
- Adult diphtheria and tetanus vaccine
- Typhoid vaccine
- Varicella vaccine
- Japanese encephalitis vaccine
- Meningococcal vaccine
- Rabies vaccine
- Yellow fever (YF) vaccine
We hope you have a great stay so make sure you get this information of travel to India vaccinations handy.
Getting a Visa to travel to India from US
Getting visa for tourists planning a trip to India is really easy. It is 100 percent online and you will easily get a Tourist eVisa if you have a valid US passport, passport size photographs and active debit/credit card or a PayPal account.
The average processing time for getting your Tourist eVisa is 5 days but you are super excited to visit and experience the magnificent country and its unique culture, then by spending around a fee of 104 USD you will get your work done in 48 hours. You can consult many tour operators in India or a Visa expert for quick help, but our honest suggestion is to get it done personally.
How safe it is to travel to India?
Honestly, India is safe as long as you are aware of your surroundings and apply your common sense. As a traveller from US you will definitely experience some stares but this is basically harmless. The stares are mainly because Indians get equally curious when they see a curious foreigner. But deep down, the ancient Indian concept of ‘Athithi Devo Bhavo’ – or ‘Guest is like God’ is always active.
Few suggestions from our side –
In India the sense of ‘giving space’ is quite different than US. You can perceive it as intrusion if you are taking public transport like metro or bus. The best thing to do is to avoid eye contact so that you don’t end up having unnecessary conversation with a stranger. Sometimes a smile will do the trick. Follow the advice of your local point of contact or guide. In this case our advice is to get in touch with numerous active communities comprising of bright Indian youth, travel enthusiasts, bloggers and students. You will get to know about a completely New India.
Tips for Woman travelling solo in India
If you are a women solo traveler and planning a trip to India from US, then you might be asking your self – is it safe to travel to India as a woman? Well, you can certainly have a good time alone in India, but there a few ‘not to do list’ which you should take off.
As long as you are exploring urban India, there’s nothing much to worry. But you should also remember that patriarchy is still a reality and you may offend someone with your actions, especially if you are in the northern rural or hilly areas of the country. If you are a smoker, then don’t do it too freely in front of the older generation. Get your pack and find a suitable spot to do it. Woman smoking publicly is still a uncommon thing in the sub-urban and rural areas.
Nightlife in India is pretty vibrant. Travel to India and experience the highly exciting nightlife in the great Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai & Bangalore.
. But be cautious while travelling during the night time. All the major cab services are easily available in almost all Indian cities, so book one. The best thing is to book a car from your hotel and keep it with you during the entire duration of the day. We advise not to take any running auto, taxi or bus, especially if its past midnight.
Opt for Local Mobile SIM Cards for Hassle Free Communication
Once you land in India and your customs are cleared, you are eligible to buy SIM cards, available at the kiosks in the airport. Indian telecom companies offer cheap deals and are provide fantastic coverage throughout India. They also offer great data packages which will help you in quickly browsing the internet if the Wi-Fi signal in some particular place is weak. We recommend you to go for Airtel or Reliance Jio connection and your travel to India will be convenient with seamless communication. It is also necessary for any emergency communication. Keep these numbers handy.
- Tourist Helpline – Call 1363
- Police – call 100
- Ambulance – Call 102
- Women Helpline – Call 1091
- Road Accident Emergency Services – 1073
India is truly a magnificent country and a single visit to India is simply not enough to comprehend the country’s spirit, the ancient cultural legacy and its uniqueness. We hope you keep on coming and keep exploring life itself. As Indians we just want this love between India and US flow and travel is the only way to make it happen.
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